Johnny Manziel pick puts Browns in unique situation

Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) gestures on stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall.(Photo: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

The Cleveland Browns have seen plenty of purported saviors come and go – but never one quite like Johnny Football. Perhaps even more important, the NFL's most tormented franchise finally might be ready for saving.

Trading up to draft Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick Thursday night didn't just give the Browns the draft's most unique playmaker. It may have added the piece they need to be the most unlikely team in the 2014 playoff field.

Yes, the Browns, who haven't won more than five games in a season since 2007. The Browns, who are on their third head coach in three seasons. The Browns, who overhauled their front office again and have an owner whose company has been under FBI investigation.

Amidst the chaos, various regimes have been putting pieces in place. They have a true No. 1 receiver in Josh Gordon. They have an excellent young tight end in Jordan Cameron. They have a solid offensive line and a growing group of weapons on defense, too.

That includes former Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert, whom Browns general manager Ray Farmer – promoted after owner Jimmy Haslam parted ways with Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi in February – selected at No. 8 after a pair of deals within the top 10.

Hours later, Farmer moved boldly again, striking a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to move up four spots and grab Manziel before the Minnesota Vikings or another team could do the same.

Yes, there are questions about Manziel's durability with his slight frame and reckless style. There are questions about whether his game will translate to the pros. There are questions about his maturity and off-field habits, too.

But there are no doubts about Manziel's elite instincts and improvisation skills, which helped him throw for 63 touchdowns and run for 30 more in two seasons at A&M. He's tough, smart, competitive – and now probably a little ticked off, too, as he heads to a city that matches.

"I'm a little biased, but I think he should have been the No. 1 pick," said Manziel's former Texas A&M teammate, receiver Mike Evans, who was drafted seventh overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "It's kind of sad. But I think he'll be (taken) by the end of the night."

VIDEO: Manziel talks about wild draft day

Johnny Manziel feels fortunate to be drafted by the Cleveland Browns despite some projections he'd be taken with an earlier pick.

It might not have felt that way while Manziel was waiting backstage with TV cameras in his face for hours at Radio City Music Hall – not unlike another former Browns quarterback, Brady Quinn, famously did seven years ago.

Manziel had to watch Central Florida's Blake Bortles become the first quarterback chosen at No. 3 to Jacksonville.

"There was a little bit of nervousness," Manziel admitted about the wait, "but at the same time there's a higher power who has a plan for me."

Like Manziel, Quinn ended up being drafted 22nd overall by the Browns. So did Brandon Weeden in 2012. The list of failed Browns quarterbacks matches the franchise's overall futility since football returned to Cleveland in 1999 and made Tim Couch a No. 1 pick.

They haven't made the playoffs since the 2002 season, when they lost a wild-card game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They've had one winning season since, going 10-6 in 2007, and are 27-69 over the past six seasons, now on their fifth head coach (Mike Pettine) in that span.

Whether Manziel's arrival breaks that string of disappointments remains to be seen. But things will feel a little different around the Browns' facility today. Suddenly, Cleveland – yes, Cleveland – is going to be relevant in the NFL universe.

"It's a great story for me to end up there to have fans that are as passionate as I play on the field," he said. "I play with a lot of heart. They're very loyal, very die-hard."

And this is not merely a sideshow. Believe it or not, the Browns have hope again. Not two years down the line. Right now.